Method of rinsing showers clean

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for rinsing showers clean and for providing a pleasant sheen to shower surfaces without scrubbing or wiping by applying an aqueous composition which includes a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB less than 13, a chelating agent, and optionally, an alcohol.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a §371 national stage application of PCT/US96/00906 international application, filed Jan. 18, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/374,918, filed Jan. 19, 1995, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,452, and 08/439,382, filed May 11, 1995, as a divisional application of Ser. No. 08/374,918, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,022.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a rinsing solution composition for keeping showers and the like clean, and a method of using same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Shower stalls and tubs accumulate a steady build-up of organic and inorganic deposits on their surfaces as a result of repeated use. The accumulation of such deposits, which include insoluble soap curds, washed-off debris from the body partially coated with soap or shampoo, calcium carbonate, other insoluble metal salts, and growth of mildew and microorganisms, creates an unsightly and unhealthy environment that is unacceptable from the standpoint of cleanliness and good hygiene, as well as aesthetics.

Conventionally, the build-up of deposits in a shower can be cleaned with any of a number of aggressive cleaners commercially available to the consumer. These cleaners, which contain combinations of surfactants, chelating agents, oxidizers, abrasives, and soluble salts, require repeated scrubbing or wiping with the cleaner, followed generally with a water rinse, to periodically remove the unsightly and unhealthy build-up in the shower. Considerable labor is required to maintain a clean shower using these conventional cleaners.

Sokol, U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,016, discloses aqueous cleaning compositions for dissolving soap curds that require a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) number of at least 13.1. Sokol's aqueous cleaning composition requires at least some immediate rinsing away of the composition after its application and before it dries, and possibly some wiping, however minimal the amount of effort required by the user. There is no disclosure that the aqueous cleaning compositions produces a pleasant sheen on shower surfaces when dry.

At the present time, there is no acceptable product for both maintaining shower surfaces clean and providing a pleasant sheen on shower surfaces without the action of scrubbing or wiping-off of surface deposits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art, such as noted above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a composition for a shower rinsing solution for cleaning showers and keeping them clean.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of using the tub and shower rinsing composition to maintain a clean shower, provide a pleasant sheen on the tub and shower surfaces, and prevent the build-up of undesirable deposits on shower surfaces.

The aqueous tub and shower rinsing composition of the present invention offers the distinct advantage of removing deposits from tub and shower surfaces while also providing a pleasant sheen on these surfaces without any immediate rinsing, wiping, scrubbing or the like. The present invention makes use of the water mist formed by subsequent showering to help in the removal of shower deposits in conjunction with the earlier application of the aqueous tub and shower rinsing solution following an earlier showering by the user.

The present invention relates to an easy and safe-to-use, non-streaking aqueous composition, which includes a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number (HLB) of less than 13 and preferably less than 12.5, a chelating agent, and optionally, alcohol and/or ammonium hydroxide and/or morpholine, for rinsing tub and shower surfaces free from deposits, and without the necessity of wiping or scrubbing.

The present invention also relates to a method of using the liquid rinsing composition to maintain clean tub and shower surfaces without scrubbing or wiping or even rinsing of the surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The aqueous shower rinsing composition of the invention includes a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB of less than 13 and preferably less than 12.5, a chelating agent, and optionally, an alcohol and/or ammonium hydroxide and/or morpholine.

In accordance with the invention, a preferred embodiment of the aqueous shower rinsing solution has the following composition expressed in percent (%) by volume:

    ______________________________________     isopropyl alcohol        4.4%     ANTAROX BL-225 surfactant                              1.5%     Hamp-ene diammonium      1.5%     EDTA 44% aqueous solution     fragrance                0.002%     water                    balance     ______________________________________

The non-ionic surfactant used in the present invention advantageously removes both cationic and anionic surfactant residues and deposits and is preferably a liquid at ambient temperatures. This non-ionic surfactant also has an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number) of less than 13.0, more preferably 12.5 or less, and most preferably about 12 or less, to avoid leaving streaks on shower surfaces and provide the desired shine. In general, the aqueous shower rinsing composition contains a non-ionic surfactant in the range of about 0.5 to 3% by volume, more preferably 1 to 2% by volume, most preferably about 1.5% by volume. It has been found that non-ionic surfactant concentrations of less than 0.5% by volume did not result in satisfactory removal of shower deposit and that concentrations above 3% left too much residual (observed as a scummy film) on shower surfaces.

ANTAROX BL-225 (Rhone-Poulenc, Cranbury, N.J.), a mixed ethylene glycol ether (modified linear aliphatic polyether consisting of modified alkyl or alkylaryl ethoxylates having the general formula R(OCH₂ CH₂)_(x) R', where R is an alkyl or alkylaryl group, R' is a modifying cap and X represents moles of ethylene oxide) with an HLB of 12 and a cloud point of 27° C., is the preferred non-ionic surfactant. Non-ionic surfactants, such as alkylphenol glycol ethers, sorbitan oleic ester, silicone polyalkoxylate block copolymers, mixtures thereof, and mixtures in combination with ANTAROX BL-225, having an HLB of less than 13 are non-limiting examples of other suitable non-ionic surfactants.

Non-ionic surfactants are also characterized by the cloud point. Excess surfactant, exceeding the solubility limit in water, forms a dispersion and exists in micelles below the cloud point. When the temperature is increased above the cloud point, the excess surfactant separates into a second phase. It will be appreciated that the HLB can be calculated or readily estimated from the cloud point. The determination of both HLB and the cloud point of non-ionic surfactants are well within the knowledge and skill of ordinary artisans.

Preferably, the chelating agent is diammonium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (diammonium EDTA), such as the Hamp-ene diammonium EDTA (manufactured by Hampshire Chemical Corporation, Lexington, Mass.), which is a 44% aqueous solution of the diammonium salt of EDTA. This commercially available 44% solution is easy to mix, economical in cost, and has low toxicity. Other chelating agents, such as but not limited to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxyethyl ethylene diaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), can be substituted for diammonium EDTA on an equivalent chelating strength basis.

A 44% aqueous solution of diammonium EDTA is preferably mixed in the aqueous shower rinsing composition in an amount of about 0.2 to 2.0% by volume. On an equivalent chelating strength basis, the other chelating agents mentioned above, as well as a solution of diammonium EDTA of different concentration, can be mixed in the aqueous shower rinsing composition in an amount of about 0.1 to 3% by volume. There is too much residual left on the shower surfaces when the amount of chelating agent in the aqueous shower rinsing composition is above about 3% by volume whereas below 0.1% by volume of chelating agent, there is little or no removal of shower deposits. Another disadvantage of having less than 0.1% by volume of chelating agent in the aqueous rinsing composition is that the shower surfaces, including the shower floor, are made very slippery by the non-ionic surfactant in the absence of a suitable amount of chelating agent.

Ammonium hydroxide or morpholine can be used to increase the pH of the aqueous shower rinsing solution depending on the acidity of the chelating agent. The pH of the aqueous shower rinsing solution is preferably in the range of about pH 4 to 6, more preferably in the range of about pH 4 to 5.5, and most preferably about pH 4.9. Below a pH of about 4, the solubility of the chelating agent in the aqueous rinsing composition is poor, whereas above a pH of about 6, the aqueous rinsing composition does not perform satisfactorily in removing shower deposits.

An alcohol, which increases the solvent properties and improves the sheeting action by keeping the surface tension low in order to minimize any residual film on shower surfaces, can optionally be added to the aqueous rinsing solution in the range of about 1 to 8% by volume. When the amount of alcohol in the aqueous rinsing solution is above 8%, the alcohol has a stronger, more detectable odor as well as posing a solubility problem with regard to the chelating agent. Any short-chain alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, and isobutyl alcohol, can be used, although isopropyl alcohol is preferred. Ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, the isopropyl ether of ethylene glycol, or the ethyl ether of ethylene glycol can be used as possible substitutes for a short-chain alcohol. Methyl alcohol, however, is not recommended due to its toxicity and also its high volatility.

The aqueous rinsing solution preferably contains fragrance to provide a fresh and clean smell. Although the addition of fragrance is optional, it satisfies the expectation of consumers that a clean shower would smell "fresh and clean". However, a composition which lacks a fragrance additive still performs satisfactorily in cleaning the tub and shower surfaces according to the criteria discussed below in Example 1.

Pine odor #82555 and Fresh and Clean odor #82556 (AFF, Marietta, Ga.) are commercially available and both are equally acceptable as the preferred fragrance. However, any of a number of commercially available fragrances or odor additives may be used to provide a fresh and clean smell and is well within the skill of those in the art. Generally, 0.0005% to 0.008% of fragrance additive is mixed with the aqueous rinsing solution composition based on the initial concentration of the fragrance additive supplied by the manufacturer.

The water used in this aqueous rinsing solution composition of the present invention must have negligible amounts of metal ions and be capable of not leaving any residue or deposit on evaporation from a shower surface. Distilled water or deionized water is preferred as the source of water for dilution of the individual components as well as for the water added as the balance of the composition for an aqueous shower rinsing solution.

Local conditions, such as the degree of water hardness, altitude above sea level, and the composition of typical soils, may be taken into consideration in formulating the aqueous shower rinsing composition. The amount of surfactant and chelating agent may be increased to account for greater water hardness and soils with higher calcium and magnesium levels. At higher altitudes, alcohols having lower vapor pressure can desirably be used. The viscosity of the aqueous shower rinsing composition is preferably below 20 centipoise to minimize formation of residual film on shower surfaces.

The aqueous shower rinsing composition is a dilute surfactant solution containing additional additives and is used after showering to prevent the build-up of deposits on shower surfaces. The shower rinsing solution is best sprayed onto the shower surfaces with a pump or pressurized sprayer and, for best results, the shower rinsing solution is applied to shower surfaces before the deposits dry and set. While the rinsing solution does soften and remove dried deposits, its principal benefit is the removal of the deposits that are still wet. The rinsing solution transports these undesirable deposits down wet shower surfaces by gravity and into the shower drain. In subsequent showers, the water and mist from showering enhances the removal of deposits. Thus, a single cycle or repeated cycles of showering, spray application and drying of shower surfaces, especially when later followed by the next cycle beginning with the next showering, serve to convey deposits down to the shower drain in a semi-continuous fashion. Water rinsing following spraying can be done, but is unnecessary. No scrubbing, wiping, or other mechanical action is necessary, in contrast to conventional cleaning agents which are used to remove deposits only after such deposits have dried.

Previously accumulated build-up of undesirable deposits that have already dried and set can be softened and completely removed, albeit gradually, with continued application of the rinsing solution after each shower. While no wiping or other mechanical action is required to remove such previously dried and set deposits, gentle wiping accelerates the removal of softened deposits that have accumulated over a period of time. Wiping or even scrubbing are permissible, but unnecessary. This aqueous shower rinsing composition is not a shower or tub cleaner in the conventional sense, but is a rinsing solution for maintaining a clean shower.

Furthermore, in contrast to simply rinsing the shower surfaces with plain tap water or soapy water, both of which leave deposits, the present invention prevents streaking and air-dries spot free. Thus, the present aqueous rinsing solution provides a product for maintaining tubs and showers clean with the minimum of effort. This solution is also effective in maintaining bathtub surfaces and the like clean and spot-free even in the absence of a shower. As yet another use besides removing shower deposits and keeping showers clean, the aqueous shower rinsing solution can be applied as described above to provide a pleasant sheen, such as a light matte finish or semi-gloss sheen, to the shower surfaces when dry.

EXAMPLE 1

The results of a test comparing different non-ionic surfactants having a range of HLB numbers are presented in Table 1. These results were obtained in a shower in a north Florida locality having hard water. The aqueous composition of the rinsing solutions tested all have the composition of the preferred embodiment described above with the exception that the surfactant is substituted with the test surfactants indicated in Table 1. The names in parentheses in Table 1 are Rhone-Poulenc tradenames of the non-ionic surfactants tested. The results for the tested surfactants in terms of action and surface appearance were graded based on the following criteria:

The residual film was observed on the shower surfaces after applying the test surfactants and then allowing the shower surfaces to dry without rinsing with water. The surface appearance grades are defined as follows:

grade A--Very streaky with tracks of build-up on a clear background.

grade B--Some streaking with streaks of light build-up on a lightly covered background.

grade C--Even distribution of a thick film.

grade D--Even distribution of a light film giving a light matte finish to the wall surfaces and the fittings.

grade E--Even distribution with a semi-gloss appearance.

The action of the test surfactants observed during a showering step, subsequent to applying test surfactants and allowing shower surfaces to dry, were graded with action grades defined as follows:

grade 1--The mist of the shower wets only a portion of the surface. This accentuates the tracks and make them stand out.

grade 2--The mist of the shower unevenly wets the surface with only partial carrying away of the previous film.

grade 3--The mist of the shower evenly wets the surface exhibiting a glossy look. This wet film moves down the walls and carries film down to the drain.

                                      TABLE 1     __________________________________________________________________________                                 Surface     Surfactant           HLB                             Action                                 Appearance                                       Comments     __________________________________________________________________________     mixed ethylene glycol ether propoxilated                          12 grade 3                                 grade D                                       satisfactory     (ANTAROX BL-225)     sorbitan oleic ester (ALKAMULS 400-DO)                          7.2                             grade 3                                 grade D                                       some residual                                       odor,                                       otherwise                                       satisfactory     sorbitan oleic ester (ALKAMULS 400-MO)                          11 grade 3                                 grade D                                       some residual                                       odor,                                       otherwise                                       satisfactory     alkylphenol glycolether (IGEPAL RC-520)                          10 grade 3                                 grade D                                       satisfactory     alkylphenol glycolether (IGEPAL DM 710)                          13 grade 3                                 grade C                                       marginally                                       satisfactory     alkylphenol glycolether (PEGOL 84)                          14 grade 2                                 grade B                                       unsatisfactory     alkylphenol glycolether (IGEPAL CO 970)                          18.2                             grade 3                                 grade A                                       unsatisfactory     alkylethoxylates (RHODASURF BC-840)                          15.4                             grade 2                                 grade B                                       unsatisfactory     silicone polyalkoxylate block copolymers                          12 grade 3                                 grade E                                       satisfactory     (ALKASIL NE 58-50)                (mist                                       irritated                                       nose)     1.35% v/v ethylene glycol ether (ANTAROX BL-                          12 grade 3                                 grade E                                       satisfactory     225) + 0.15% v/v silicone polyalkoxylate block     copolymers (ALKASIL NE 58-50)     __________________________________________________________________________

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of rinsing showers clean without scrubbing or wiping, consisting essentially of repeated cycles of the steps of:wetting surfaces of a shower; spraying the wet shower surfaces after showering with an aqueous rinsing solution comprising:about 0.5% to 3% by volume of a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB of 13 or less, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is the sole surfactant; and about 0.1% to 3% by volume of a chelating agent, wherein said aqueous rinsing solution has a pH in a range of about 4 to 6, whereby deposits resulting from showering are removed, without scrubbing or wiping by allowing said aqueous rinsing solution to transport said deposits down the shower surfaces to a drain, said shower surfaces air-drying spot-free and without streaking.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the chelating agent in the aqueous rinsing solution is selected from the group consisting of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, diammonium ethylenediamine triacetate, hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine triacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, and nitrilotriacetic acid.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution further comprises about 1 to 8% by volume of an alcohol.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the alcohol in the aqueous rinsing solution is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, isopropyl and ethyl ethers of ethylene glycol, and glycerol.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution comprises:about 1.5% by volume of the non-ionic surfactant; about 4.4% by volume of the alcohol; and about 0.66% by volume of the chelating agent.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution consists essentially of:about 0.5% to 3% by volume of a non-ionic surfactant; about 0.1% to 3% by volume of a chelating agent; and water, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution has a pH adjusted in the range of about 4 to 6 as needed by the addition of a base.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution consists essentially of:about 0.5% to 3% by volume of a non-ionic surfactant; about 0.1% to 3% by volume of a chelating agent; water, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution has a pH adjusted in the range of about 4 to 6 as needed by the addition of a base; and about 1% to 8% by volume of an alcohol.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of said aqueous rinsing solution is in the range of about 4 to 5.5.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of said aqueous rinsing solution is about 4.9.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-ionic surfactant has an HLB of 12.5 or less.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-ionic surfactant has an HLB of 12 or less.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols, sorbitan fatty acid esters, silicone copolymers, and mixtures thereof.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said aqueous rinsing composition further comprises distilled or de-ionized water.
 14. A method of rinsing showers clean without scrubbing or wiping, consisting essentially of repeated cycles of the steps of:wetting surfaces of a shower; spraying the wet shower surfaces after showering with an aqueous rinsing solution comprising:about 0.5% to 3% by volume of a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB of 13 or less, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is the sole surfactant; and about 0.1% to 3% by volume of a chelating agent, wherein said aqueous rinsing solution has a pH where the solubility of the chelating agent is poor, whereby deposits resulting from showering are removed without scrubbing or wiping by allowing said aqueous rinsing solution to transport said deposits down the shower surfaces to a drain, said shower surfaces air-drying spot-free and without streaking.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the non-ionic surfactant has an HLB of 12.5 or less.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the non-ionic surfactant has an HLB of 12 or less.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols, sorbitan fatty acid esters, silicone copolymers, and mixtures thereof.
 18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the chelating agent in the aqueous rinsing solution is selected from the group consisting of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, diammonium ethylenediamine triacetate, hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine triacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, and nitrilotriacetic acid.
 19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution further comprises about 1 to 8% by volume of an alcohol.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the alcohol in the aqueous rinsing solution is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, isopropyl and ethyl ethers of ethylene glycol, and glycerol.
 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution comprises:about 1.5% by volume of the non-ionic surfactant; about 4.4% by volume of the alcohol; and about 0.66% by volume of the chelating agent.
 22. The method according to claim 14, wherein said aqueous rinsing composition further comprises distilled or de-ionized water.
 23. The method according to claim 14, wherein the aqueous rinsing solution consists essentially of:about 0.5% to 3% by volume of a non-ionic surfactant; about 0.1% to 3% by volume of a chelating agent; about 1% to 8% by volume of an alcohol; and water. 